Soccer Rivals: Christiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi

Battle between soccer rivals, Christiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi

The battle of greatness (or who’s greater) between these two amazing world best footballers keep standing firm on the grounds of soccer for the past seven years.

Fans of these two soccer wizards have been enthusiastic in their arguments and opinions in the matter of who’s greater in the past eight years.

The world of soccer as a sport has been centered on the dexterity of Ronaldo and Messi which over the past few years has made a couple of other players almost nonexisting.

However, both players have personally been in the soccer bracket of seeing each other as strong rivals.Therefore, only a very slim sense of friendliness exists in the middle of both. Either on the soccer pitch or off the pitch.

All along the two players have said various things to media men which have eventually stood and is still standing as the case behind the apparent hostile story in their soccer career over the years.

Recently the Real Madrid star says he is not close to the Argentine ace and has played down the rivalry between the two players considered to be the best in the world of soccer.

The Portugal captain and Real Madrid forward- Cristiano Ronaldo has expressed with words to Coach magazine that he does not have a “big rivalry” with Barcelona’s Lionel Messi and instead there exists a “big mutual respect” between them even though they’re not really friends.When asked which opponent he admires the most, he (Ronaldo) said: “There is a big mutual respect between myself and Lionel Messi. The media like to make out like we have this big rivalry, but we don’t. It is not like we are good friends, but there is a mutual respect on both sides.”

He further insisted that he needs to have his haters which is close to normal.Ronaldo and his counterpart; Messi have dominated the Ballon d’Or election over the past eight years and they are hugely regarded as the two best players in the soccer game.There is an ongoing debate about who is the better player of the pair, but Ronaldo is adamant there is no bitterness between the two.

The Real Madrid star, 31, and the Argentine whiz, 29, are considered two of the best players in the world and have consistently starred in La Liga in recent years, competing for rival soccer club sides; Real Madrid and Barcelona.

Lionel Messi has recorded 14 goals in 11 appearances for his club this season already while Christiano Ronaldo has scored four goals in his nine appearances for Los Blancos.

Ronaldo pointed himself when asked who has been the key influence on his career while he was also quizzed on which teammate had been his biggest inspiration.The Portugal and Madrid star spoke out: “My biggest inspiration has always been myself; nobody puts bigger demands on me than me.”“I said I admired Figo and Rui Costa, but I never wanted to emulate anybody — I have just always focused on being the best me I can.”

He further talked about the most important lesson that soccer has taught him, adding: “To use negative people and experiences to motivate you. I actually need my haters — they have helped me achieve all I have achieved.”